F1 2020 Review

Due to the lack of real Formula 1 this year and watching old race highlights from previous seasons, the wait seemed longer than ever before. Now that we have just completed the first few races of 2020, it is also time to enjoy ourselves digitally with the ever-popular racing sport. Where in Austria many drivers left the technique in their lurch, in Codemasters’ F1 2020 we have an impressive deal of control over our decisions. The roaring engines are waiting for the lights to go out after they wave the green flag behind us. Let’s start my F1 2020 review on PlayStation 4 with a lightning bolt.

BECOME A BRABHAM

In previous editions of the F1 video game series, you had the opportunity to start a career mode. Something that I personally always enjoy doing. However, in F1 2020, in addition to this mode, there is also a ‘My Team’ mode. This takes the career mode to a much higher level and, like Jack Brabham once did, you can set up and manage your own Formula 1 team.

Take note that you do all this while you are also one of the drivers. So, if the races are still not challenging enough on their own, this might be a pleasant addition to the game. There is a lot to consider when starting your own Formula 1 team.

You have complete control over what your team will be called, what your car will look like, which logo and colors will suit your team, and who will be the driver next to you. You have to do all this with a sharp eye on the budget. Please, don’t immediately plunge yourself into bankruptcy by making too many large investments. Bringing in the right sponsors is therefore an important part with this journey.

Are you looking for a sponsor where the profit premium is higher or where a higher basic amount is paid so that you enjoy a certain secure income in the long run? And then you also have to choose which engine to put in your car, because the barge has to move, it can’t just stand still. In general, it corresponds to a normal career, but much more enjoyable.

FUN FOR TWO

As far as solo playing is concerned, there is little new on the horizon. As usual, you can race a Grand Prix, do a time trial, or a championship, which is like the regular race weekends without free practice. However, a game like Codemasters’ F1 2020 is of course not possible without multiplayer modes.

Take note that you can take part in a weekly event, competitions (set up by yourself or someone else), or race an (un) ranked match. Something new in this edition is the possibility to also play split-screen. Fans have been asking for this feature and the developers finally listened!

The split-screen functionality is of course ideal if you are sitting on the couch with a friend and you want to race each other with your favorite drivers and teams. You can determine the number of races and circuits. It all works great, but as soon as you finish a race, you will be dropped in the main menu and you will have to navigate back to the split-screen section.

This is very annoying to be honest. Why? Because the loading screens sometimes take ages. Moreover, this split-screen possibility lends itself perfectly to the new model in which you create your own team. Then, you immediately have a second driver and you can try to build the team together. Unfortunately, this idea was not used in F1 2020 and that is quite a pity.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

In addition to the aforementioned additions and a few newly added circuits, the game has remained largely the same as its predecessor. Something you as a developer might not be able to avoid when you release a game every year, but also a reason for a gamer to think carefully whether these additions are worth buying the game again. Especially when you consider that there were hardly any significant driver changes.

All the big names have stayed where they were, and many teams look the same as last season. This is not the developer’s fault, but something you need to have in mind when buying F1 2020. In terms of graphics, not much has changed compared to F1 2019 and there is even something to criticize. A number of times I noticed some textures of faces and cars not loading properly. This is something that needs fixing!

CONCLUSION

As usual, the official Formula 1 and Formula 2 licenses have been included, which makes the game the best in the market if you want to play with real drivers and teams. In addition, the game is also very well put together. You have a lot of options to tweak your car and you can make it as easy or difficult as you want. The threshold for entering is therefore very low, regardless of what level you have.

Despite some negatives, F1 2020 has certainly become a successful game again. I miss the “real” improvements a bit. Codemasters definitely took an easy way out in that area. But that doesn’t mean you get a bad game. Finding the ideal setup for each circuit and then driving your laps as perfectly as possible, but still sometimes making huge mistakes, that’s what Formula 1 is, and that’s also what F1 2020 has to offer you.

Do you want to try Codemasters’ F1 2020? What do you think of my F1 2020 review for PlayStation 4? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Are you feeling some racing vibes and interested in more racing games? Check out our reviews for MotoGP 20, TT Isle of Man: Ride On The Edge 2, and  Monster Energy Supercross 3.